Sure, but last season he was atrocious. And the first two games of this season he looked pretty off the boil. If Malacia continues to displace him its because he's better. That's just the way I see it, regardless of how Shaw's peak was once upon a time.
Shaw was only around for a couple if months last season before being displaced by Telles. His once upon a time was literally 2021. He’s had no major injury since then and is only 26 or 27 still.
I’m happy for Malacia to play if Shaw is at his worst. However, out of Malacia, Shaw, Telles, Williams - all can fluctuate in form but only one of those has shown capability to be a world class full back. Again, IF we can get Shaw back to his best, then I’d play him every time. And given that I see no reason why it is impossible for him to get back to his best - I still hold hope for it.
Bruno Fernandes was terrible for much of last season. And the first two of this one. Yet many held out hope that he would suddenly return to form from two years ago. I can’t see why that can’t be the same for Shaw personally.
What I like about Malacia is that, of all our 4 LBs, he’s the one that appears to be most reliable to do the basics and bare minimum. Track his man, put a tackle in, be in the right place. That is why he gets in for me, because as great as Shaw can be, he has also shown form where he cannot even be relied upon to do the basics. I accept that. Malacia is therefore the ‘safer’ choice. Just like Elanga has been a safer choice to other more talented players because we found ourselves in a situation where we’ve had to go to basics and say ‘forget being brilliant for now, we just need someone who can actually run’. But we also know Elanga has the lowest upside if all on top form. I see Malacia over Shaw as a similar choice to Elanga over say, Martial. The latter are far better players, but when trying to build a team from scratch, the former can at least be trusted to do the basics. But then that could just as easily be Elanga over Neymar for the same reasons. Once we start looking like an elite team, we’d be better off with Shaw if he can get his act together IMO.